By Victoria Mejicanos
AFRO Intern
Schools across the country are working hard to develop and reinforce policies that protect immigrant students within their student body.
In a recent statement given to the AFRO, Sherry Christian, the media and public relations manager for Baltimore City Public Schools, said district leadership is aware of recent reports involving immigration agents conducting so-called “wellness checks” at the homes of some families in Baltimore.
“We want to reassure our community that we take these concerns seriously. We have consistently provided our schools and families with guidance on what to do if approached by immigration authorities—whether at home or on school grounds,” said Christian.
In 2017, during the current president’s first term, Board of School commissioners representing Baltimore City Schools signed a resolution that designates the Baltimore City Public School system as an “inclusive safe and welcoming district for all students regardless of immigration status, religion, or country of origin.”
The resolution cites Plyler v. Doe, a Supreme Court case, which made it so that no public school district has a basis to deny education based on immigration status. In letters to the community, they have provided mental health and immigration resources within the area.
In Washington, D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb —- has provided guidance to schools and families through a Frequently asked Questions document. The attorney general notes that due to the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Rights Act (FERPA), schools do not allow access to student records without written authorization from the parent or legal guardian or a court order. According to the document, it is illegal to share records otherwise.
Further up on the east coast, the New York City Public Schools District operates in a similar fashion, while also providing “know your rights” workshops for students and parents. The sessions connect them to resources such as “Project Open Arms,” which provides support to students seeking asylum.
According to Nicole Brownstein, press secretary for New York City Public Schools, the school district does not track immigration status or collect data on the country of origin of its students.
Melissa Aviles-Ramos, chancellor of New York City Public Schools, said her district– the largest in the country– is standing with its immigrant student population.
“We unequivocally stand with all children in our city regardless of immigration status. We want to be very clear—our policies have not changed.”
She encouraged parents to keep sending their children to school.
In Los Angeles, amidst widespread protests and deportations, Alberto Carvalho spoke to members of the media in support of immigrant students.
“We stand strongly on the right side of law. Every student in our community, every student across the country, has a constitutional right to a free public education of high quality, without threat.” said Carvalho, in a press conference held by the district. “Every one of our students, independently of their immigration status, has a right to a free meal in our schools. Every one of our children, no questions asked, has a right to counseling, social emotional support, mental support.”
Carvalho also explained that they are working to provide protections during some of the more than 100 graduations anticipated to happen throughout the month of June as well as the beginning of summer courses. The school district is the second largest in the country.
In Chicago, lawmakers are working to prohibit public schools from denying a student access to free education based on that child’s immigration status or that of their parents.
In places like Houston and Atlanta there have also been widespread protests and ICE raids. They each have released statements re-iterating that students have a constitutional right to access a free public education regardless of immigration status.
